Durban Day 1

Welcome to my blog sharing my personal experiences from the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol! (Yes, that's a bit wordy and henceforth shall be referred to as COP 17).

I was very fortunate to get non-governmental delegate status and these writings will simply be my experiences of the events I am able to attend. Thirty thousand delegates from 193 countries are here to hopefully work out a binding climate deal where all countries agree to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help developing countries deal with the adverse effects of climate change.

COP 17 is taking place in Durban, a city of 3.4 million (the 3rd largest city in South Africa) located on the eastern sea coast of South Africa on the Indian Ocean. We arrived on Saturday, November 25th, and after settling in, Sunday was our first day of pre-COP activities. (COP17 starts on November 28th and ends on December 9th). Archbishop Desmond Tutu was one of the featured speakers at a We Have Faith - Act Now for Climate Justice concert and rally at the King's Park Stadium that we attended. ("We" unless otherwise noted, refers to the real reason I am here: my husband Dan!)

Archbishop Tutu likened impending climate change to apartheid, noting, "Apartheid seemed an overwhelming challenge that could not be defeated, but we mobilized and defeated it. We need the same passion and determination to defeat climate change." He went on to say that climate change is an even greater threat to us than apartheid, because as temperatures rise, millions of Africans will suffer due to food and water shortages.

As we all know, although Africans have done comparatively little to cause climate change, they will be among the most devastated. He repeated his message that, "We only have one home. This is the only home we have. And whether you are rich or poor, this is your only home. You are members of one family, the human race."

The dire message was lightened with some inspiring music by Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the Soweto Gospel Choir, among others. Unfortunately, the crowd was smaller than expected, so hopefully that doesn't reflect peoples' commitment to the idea of "climate justice".

This morning was the first day of COP 17. The energy was electric as crowds of people converged on the International Convention Centre (ICC), passed through the considerable security and headed to the main hall. Unfortunately, due to my NGO status, I was only able to watch the opening on video monitors, but after awhile, all the speeches became a bit repetitive, and I found an amazing presentation on the U.S. Centre on Fires in Africa.

Although I missed some of the beginning of the talk (it is easy to get lost in the maze-like complex), there were representatives from NASA who shared their research on activities related to the extensive biomass burning taking place through sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world.

Many people in Sub-Saharan Africa still rely on Slash-and-Burn agriculture. The scientists talked about how the deforestation, loss of biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, and resulting soil erosion all damage the environment. They also pointed out that biomass burning can have short and long-term effects on the Earth's atmosphere and climate system, and also affect the rainfall amounts. Considering that 70% of Africans make their living in agriculture, all this can have serious impacts.

With the warming of the Earth's climate, we know and have experienced more warm spells, heat waves and droughts in many parts of the world. The scientists noted that these changes are likely to increase the number of annual wildfires and health risks. By studying the fires from space, they can use this data to monitor the levels of greenhouse gases and many other effects they have on our planet.

The people giving the talks are incredibly knowledgeable! On any given day, there are between 25-50 presentations and seminars going on simultaneously. These are open to all delegates, whereas the delegates with "Party" status are involved in the actual negotiations of the actual global climate deal.

What has really inspired me though, are all the grassroots activists I have had a glimpse of so far....the students looking for energy solutions, the women for climate change, villagers protecting forests, (yes, even the vegetarians!), and individual people like you and me wanting to make a difference for our world. More to come on this topic!!

As this is my first attempt at a blog, I hope I haven't bored anyone too much. I am hoping that as the week goes on, I will be able to find some other interesting things to share with you. I wish I could share the view of the Indian Ocean outside our hotel room window, but just use your imagination....!) (Yesterday, we had a terrible wind and rain storm so it is wonderful to see the sun shining today.)